VOICE AGAINST TERRORISM:
Schoolchildren and members of Harmony India and Sisters of the Islamic
Society at the Marina on Saturday. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI: School children, women and other participants
assembled near the Gandhi Statue on the Marina on Saturday evening to
condemn the recent bomb blasts in Mumbai and other acts of terrorism.
"Let's not give in to terror. Let's stand united," read a banner held
aloft by the participants. More moving was the message "Children demand a
safe world."

The participants were brought together by Harmony India
(HI) and the Sisters of the Islamic Society (SIS) for a meeting where they
took a pledge that they would work towards establishment of peace in the
country. "We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism, committed in any part
of the world and in whatever form," the members declared.

The meeting was also to express solidarity with the
families of blast victims. Stressing the need for unity was the message,
"United we stand, divided we fall" and "Say yes to peace and harmony."

Explaining the programme's objective, A. Faizur Rahman,
HI executive committee member said, "We, Muslims, do not support violence
in the name of religion."

`Act of
cowardice'

Condemning the Mumbai blasts, the Prince of Arcot, Nawab
Mohammed Abdul Ali, called for greater vigil against acts of terrorism.
"Every section of society should strongly condemn terrorism which is an
act of cowardice and savagery." The culprits should be brought to justice,
without fear or favour, at the earliest.

A thorough, fair and impartial probe into the blasts was
called for. He urged the people to rally against acts of terrorism, which
threatened the unity of a pluralistic and democratic India. No religion
preached violence and killing of innocent people, he said.

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , said the
important and solemn occasion was to stress the message that people should
not be divided by communal and terrorist forces.

"We express our solidarity to the families of the victims
of the outrageous terrorist attack." He said terrorism was being committed
not only by individuals and organisations, but also by the State as was
seen in West Asia where an anti-human terrorist State was supported by
imperialism.

Other speakers, including Naz Fathima, coordinator, SIS
and Tajunnisa, a member of SIS, emphasised the need for upholding the
values of peace. A two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the
victims of the Mumbai blasts. A peace walk up to the lighthouse was
undertaken.

Muslims Donate Blood To Hindu Wounded

MUMBAI: Muslims lined up for hours to donate blood to Hindu citizens who were wounded in the train bombings in Mumbai.

“We do not care if a Muslim or a Hindu receives our blood the important thing is that it saves lives,” said Abdul Khan, one of dozens of Muslims waiting to donate blood in in the lineup in front of the Siddarth hospital, near the Jogeshwari hospital, where one of seven explosions took place.

“Whoever tried to break our harmony has failed” said Pasha Mian Sheikh who opened the doors of the ‘Islamia Arabia’ mosque to offer shelter, food and water. “Hundreds of Muslims," he added, "showed courage and harmony yesterday helping their Hindu brothers.”

This feeling was shared by Manohar Kargaonkar, a Shiv Shena Hinduist party cited by ‘Reuters’: “Hindus and Muslims yesterday walked hand in hand. Reading a newspaper, you always find that a terrorist is responsible for subversive activities. But these people are showing us what brotherhood is.”

NO PRIDE IN WAR -- NO PRIDE IN OCCUPATION
NO PRIDE IN BIGOTRY -- NO PRIDE IN TERRORISM